The TWU is totally brain dead here. Slowing down when entering stations will add many minutes to the amount of time it takes a train to complete its run. That in turn will mean you’ll either need more trains for any given frequency of service, or you’ll have to decrease the frequency of service. The latter is what will happen because the MTA can’t afford to buy more trains and hire more train operators. Bottom line, you’ll have slower, less frequent service which in turn will result in riders fleeing the system. If anything, the MTA should be speeding up service, not slowing it down, in order to decrease operating costs and attract more passengers.

It’s tragic that people get killed on the tracks, but in most cases little can be done. People need to realize they shouldn’t go on the tracks to retrieve belongings, period. They also shouldn’t near the edge of the platform until the train is nearly stopped. As for those commiting suicide, slowing down the trains won’t matter. These people will just wait until the train is nearly on top of them before jumping, and the TO still won’t be able to stop in time.

I’m also pretty sure if intentionally running slow results in trains being late, it’s a fireable offense if it occurs enough times. On any other job you’ll be fired for dragging your behind. It shouldn’t be any different here. Shame on Samuelsen for advocating a work slowdown under the guise of safety.

Guest

Surely, free-market anti-government types are penning a bill to tax homeowners an amount equal to the increase in their property value due to East Side Access, is that correct?

Or are they busy refinancing those mortgages and proposing legislation that reimburses homeowners for losses due to regulation?